The budget is fast approaching and the Gonsalves Government will be forced to deal with the financial troubles that they have been facing, but instead of making tough decisions they will most likely take the easy way out and make you pay for it.
The Government, who have recently been accused of losing $95m, will most likely use the next budget as a way to increase further financial pressure on Vincy people. Earlier this year they increased the customs charge by 1%, leading to an increase in prices of any imported good. This increase is on top of the tax we already pay on imported goods. They essentially increased the price of goods in a way that they could pass the blame to the companies importing the goods. As usual, they passed the blame, as they tend to pass on the costs and we became the only country in the OECS to increase taxes during a pandemic.
Then consider the recent climb in gas prices. There have been 7 increases in gas prices since March this year. Not only is shopping more expensive now, actually getting to the shop is more expensive.
Comrade Ralph has his political roots in social and economic equality but as his career appears to be ending, his Government has done little to help the average man on the street or even the poorest among us. As our country continues to see high levels of unemployment and emerges slowly from the pandemic, there is no better time for Ralph to remember why he is there in the first place. But as usual his Government and his son seem intent to only hurt the poor and the needy and make us pay even more for everything in our lives.